Stories

Utlizing the legal practice of behested payments, Oakland Mayor, Barbara Lee has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from nonprofits, developers, contractors, and a union to pay for community events, police recruitment, office staffing, and other civic initiatives.

Officials must report to state or local political watchdogs when they raise money this way.

“The more authority public officials have over contracts and personnel and budgets, it becomes more ethically sensitive,” Hurt said. “And when you’re soliciting money from interested parties, even for civic and city purposes, there’s care that needs to be taken.”

Davina Hurt, director, government ethics, quoted by The Oaklandside.